Cotton-chopper.



Patented June 3, 1902.

No. 70l,768.

F. M. &. L. E. SHARP.

COTTON CHOPPER.

(Application filed Aug. 6, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Modal.)

WITNESSES:

A TTOHNEYS No. muss. Patented June 3, I902.

' F. m. a E. SHARP.

COTTON CHOPPER.

' (Application filed Aug. 6, 1901.) (No Model.)

THE cams PETERS 0a., PHOTO-MIND" wnsnmuwn, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TERRITORY.

COTTON-CH O PPER SBEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 701,768, dated June 3, 1 902. A li ation fil d Au uste, 1901. Serial No. 71,083. (No model.)

To all whom it nuty concern:

Be it known that we, FRANCIS'M. SHARP and LEWIS EVERT SHARP, citizens of the'United States, residing atPartridgefln the county of Lincoln and Territory of Oklahoma, have in-' adapted to be drawn over a drilled row of cot ton-plants and to.chop out portions of the crop, thus forming gaps in the row and leaving the plants in bunches or hills. 'WVe'have devised a new construction and combination of parts whereby the cutter or chopping device, which is adapted to rotate when in ac.- tion, maybe set to work at different depths or may be thrown up entirely out of action. as conditions require.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side View of our improved machine. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. iis a side view showing the cutter or chopper raised and thrown out of action.

The main frame A of the machine is attached toand supported in horizontal posi-.

tion upon a bent axle 13, having broad tread, running, or transporting wheels 0, which are of large size. A pole or tongueD is secured to the center of the frame A, and a seat E for the driver is located on the rear end of the same. V

The rotary cutter or chopping deviceF is arranged horizontally upon a shaft G, having its bearings in a frame which is mainly composed of bars H, pivoted to lugs. or brackets a, pendent from the main frame A. The said bars H are arranged in pairs at each end of the frame A and adapted to swing in the di'-' rection of the length of the latter. The chop-' per-shaft G is journaled at its rear end in the block I and at its front end in a clevisshaped frame I, having a pivotal connection with the lower ends of the pairs of bars H. A bevel-gear J is fixed on the forward end of the chopper-shaft G (see Fig. 3) and meshes with a similar gear K,"geared upon a shaft L, having its hearings in the lower end of the forward-swinging bars H. Rotary motion is communicated to the chopper-shaft G from one of the running-wheels C by the following front lugs or brackets a of themain frame A.

Another sprocket-wheel Qismounted on the shaft P, and a similar wheel R is keyed on the short shaft L, arranged contiguous to the front end of the chopper-shaft G. Asprocketchain S runs onthese two sprocket-wheels Q and R. It will be understood that the sprocketwheel M is fixed to the hub of the adjacent transporting-wheelC, so that when the machine is drawn forward, the said sprocketwheel will be rotated and motion thereby com municated to the shaft P and from it to the shaft L, which will in turn rotate the choppershaft G through the medium of the bevel gears J and K. It is further apparent that the arrangement of parts is such that this rotary motion will be communicated whatever he the adjustment or angle of the swinging frame H.

In other words, the chopper F willbe rotated as well when the bars H are inclined rearward,

.as shown in Fig. 4, aswhen the said bars are in vertical position, as shown in the remaining figures. Such rearward adjustment or inclination of the swinging frame H is required for the purposeof varying'the depth at which the cutter or chopper F works in the soil, also for raising the said-cutter sufficiently to prevent its contact with the soil or growing crop,

as when the machine is being drawn from one point to another on the farm or when stored out of use or while being shipped from one place to another. lhe means for thus adj usting the swinging frame H consists of a handlever T, pivoted adjacent to the drivers seat, and a rod U, extending forward therefrom and pivoted to one of the forward-swinging bars H, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 4E. The said le ver T is provided with a spring pawl or catch for looking it in any adjustmentto an arc rack-barV.

For the purpose of throwing the chopper out of actiont'. e., preventing its rotation when required-we apply a clutch W (see Figs. 2 and 3) to the shaft P and operate it through the medium of an elbow-lever X, (see Fig. 3,) a rod Y, attached thereto, and a hand-lever Z, arranged in proximity to the drivers seat E and provided with means for looking it, as in the case of the lever-T, before referred to. The said clutch W has a spline connection with the shaft P, upon which it slides and engages a similar clutch formed on the hub of the sprocket-wheel O, which rotates free on the shaft. It will therefore be understood that by adjusting the lever Z forward or back the clutch W will be moved into or out of engagement with the sprocketwheel 0 and the chopper-shaft G thereby thrown into or out of action accordingly.

The cutter or chopper F is shown in the shape of a sleigh or sled runner and is constructed of steel and'provided with a beveled or sharpened edge. It is connected with the shaft G by means of radial arms and a hub, as shown in Figs.1 and 2, and clamp-screws are applied, as shown, for securing it in the required position on the shaft. By this means of adjustment the cutter may be easily removed from the shaft G when required for the purpose of sharpening it anew.

By the above-described construction, arrangement, and combination of parts we produce a machine which is well adapted for its purpose and whose chopper or cutter may be easily adjusted to the varying conditions of the growing crop upon which it is to be used.

It will be understood that the knives or blades of the chopper F may be provided in different lengths and be used interchangeably, it being preferred to employ a cutterblade about as long as the distance between the rows being chopped, and by starting the machine in at a gap or cut in the row theimplement will check-row. The sprocket-wheel Q or the sprocket on the main wheel should be of difiercnt sizes to suit the knives.

What we claim is-- 1. The improved cotton-chopper comprising a main frame, bent axle, and transportingwheels, and a supplemental swinging frame which is pivoted to the main frame and adapted to swing in the direction of the travel of the machine, the means for suspension being bars H arranged at front and rear as shown, a rotary shaft arranged longitudinally in the pendent frame and provided with a chopper, a horizontal shaft arranged in the front portion of the supplemental frame and geared with the chopper-shaft, a second horizontal shaft supported in fixed bearings on the main frame, sprocket-gearing connecting the two horizontal shafts, means for imparting rotation to the upper horizontal shaft from one of the transporting-wheels, and lever mechanism for adjusting the swinging frame and connected parts forward or back and thus higher or lower without interrupting the operation of the chopper as shown and described.

2. The improved cotton-chopper, comprising the main frame transporting-wheels therefor, the supplemental frame comprising two pairs of bars pivoted to and pendent from such main frame, a rotary chopper carried in the supplemental frame, sprocket and bevel gearing connecting the chopper-shaft with one of the transporting-Wheels, and a clutch, a rod and a hand-lever arranged as described, for throwing the chopper into and out of action, substantially as shown and described.

FRANCIS M. SHARP. LEWVIS EVERT SHARP.

\Vitnesses:

G. W. BEAR, AUSTIN ELLIS. 

